Iowa ranks 24th of 51 states and D.C. for chemists pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($153,320) by $71,490 — a 87% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $61,550 to $134,520 — a $72,970 spread, 28% tighter than the national $101,220 range.
Chemists are less concentrated in Iowa than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.71 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.41× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $61,550 | $29.59 |
| 25th percentile | $64,750 | $31.13 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $81,830 | $39.34 |
| 75th percentile | $105,350 | $50.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,520 | $64.68 |
| Mean (average) | $91,020 | $43.76 |
How Iowa Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa (current) | $81,830 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $153,320 | +87% |
| New Mexico | $134,370 | +64% |
| Maryland | $131,910 | +61% |
| Massachusetts | $126,970 | +55% |
| Delaware | $125,430 | +53% |
| Louisiana | $109,150 | +33% |
| West Virginia | $108,010 | +32% |
| Texas | $101,260 | +24% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Iowa
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Financial Advisors | $81,790 | 2,400 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $82,210 | 3,100 |
| Management Analysts | $82,230 | 4,980 |
| Financial Examiners | $81,360 | 1,130 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $81,340 | 1,010 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | $81,120 | 1,390 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Chemists salary in Iowa?
The mean chemists salary in Iowa is $91,020 per year. The median (middle) salary is $81,830 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Chemists in Iowa?
Entry-level chemistss (10th percentile) in Iowa typically earn around $61,550 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $64,750 per year.
What is the highest Chemists salary in Iowa?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Iowa make approximately $134,520 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $105,350 per year.
How does the Iowa Chemists salary compare to the national average?
The median chemists salary in Iowa is $81,830, which is -3% below national average of $84,150.